Team Herald
VASCO: Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Monday met the private bus owners from the port town and heard their grievances.
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Godinho gave them an alternative proposal that instead of them running a bus service, they can give their buses to KTC to run.
He stated that most of the functions from the State are happening and people need to travel.
He further said that some private bus owners from Vasco met him with their grievances and mentioned that their private buses cannot ply with social distancing norm as the capacity is reduced to half.
Godinho said, “I gave private bus owners an alternative proposal that instead of private bus owners running a bus service, they can give their buses to KTC to run. We will hire the buses and we will run the entire bus services on behalf of KTC.”
He further stated that the rate, terms and conditions will be looked after by KTC. The driver will be of KTC and only the conductor will be of the private bus owner.
“The losses will be on KTC. The main motto is to give service to the people,” Godinho added.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media, KTC Chairman Carlos Almeida said, “We are waiting for the information and data from the government about travelling of the people. Some people, such as students, want to travel outside Goa, so we are waiting for the government’s decision first and then we will take a call.”
Meanwhile, the minister gave green signal to motorcycle pilots and also exempted the pilots from pillion rider to wear helmet, but wearing face masks by both riders kept mandatory.
He said that I met motorcycle pilots and they put forward their queries with regards to the wearing helmet to the pillion rider. Then there was also a question of plying motorcycle pilots. I allowed motorcycle pilots to ply as their livelihood is dependent on it.
Further, on the issue of pillion rider wearing helmet, it was learnt that each time a pillion rider rent a motorcycle pilot, he is forced to wear the same helmet and this is the case then what is the use to wearing face mask when we will have to share same helmet to all pillion riders, questioned a motorcycle rider.
After listening to the views of the motorcycle pilots, Godinho came down to conclusion that the pillion rider will be exempted from wearing the helmet but wearing face masks for both pilot as well as pillion rider will be mandatory.
Later, Babu Asolkar, president of Motorcycle Pilot Association of Vasco, confirmed that they have been heard by the Minister of Transport after their delegation met him and put forth their grievances.
He also said that they been assured to exempt the pillion rider to wear helmet but made the face masks compulsory for both. Motorcycle pilots have been allowed to ply and this decision is welcomed by the association members.
